Reverend Susan Turchin: Let’s Make This World More Compassionate, Post-9/11

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Reverend Susan Turchin is the Director of Enrollment, Communications and Community, as well as the teacher of Ceremonies Based Ministry at the One Spirit Interfaith seminary.

Q: How have you personally tried to affect a positive change since the 9/11 tragedy?

A: Shortly after 9/11, there is a mosque in my neighborhood and I walked over there and told them that that we wanted them in the neighborhood. I also knew they were scared, so I asked what I could do to help them feel safer.

Q: In what ways do you think the world has changed since 9/11 and how do you think it will change in the near and far future?

A: 9/11 has brought us to a much higher consciousness of what it means to be a citizen of the world. So, one has to ask: How can we be more compassionate and loving to others and to ourselves? Wouldn’t it be lovely in 20 or 50 years if we saw that moment as a catalyst to a better world?

Q: As horrific as the events of 9/11 were, in what ways has the post-9/11 world been a “learning experience” for Americans? What is the opportunity?

A: There is definitely a message of hope in this. All of the different religions are needed. Just like all of the different fingers on our hands are needed, to really grasp things. So the message of hope is we must learn how to live with one another.

Q: How does one best deal with the realities of a collapsing economy, out of control politicians and fear-based news from around world?

A: The biggest thing we can do is be responsible for the fear in our own hearts: becoming aware of it…admitting that it exists…talking about it with another human being, to take it out of our minds and into this plane of existence and then taking responsibility for it. Those towers came down and they were perpetrated by a particular group of people, but for me, we are all responsible.

One-Spirit Learning Alliance & One-Spirit Interfaith Seminary offers professional training in interspiritual counseling and integral mentoring and ministry both in NYC and for distant learners. More at One-Spirit Learning Alliance.